Andy Griffith, 1926-2012: Five Surprising Facts

Beloved TV icon Andy Griffith, star of “The Andy Griffith Show” and “Matlock,” passed away this week at age 86; we’re celebrating his legacy by rounding up five facts you might not know about the actor’s storied career.

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Dawson's Creek

His final TV role was on a teen soap

Fittingly, Griffith wrapped up his illustrious TV career with a guest spot on a show filmed in his native North Carolina: The WB’s hit soap “Dawson’s Creek.” Griffith played an old friend of Dawson’s filmmaking mentor Mr. Brooks, coming to Capeside to visit a comatose Brooks in the hospital during a 2001 episode. Andy’s character regretted stealing Brooks’ girlfriend years ago, and wanted to mend fences before it was too late.